Saturday, December 23, 2017

When talking about books, you always hear people say "I just couldn't put it down!" For The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor, it was true. I read the entire novel in one sitting because I absolutely had to find out what was going to happen.

This book flips between the narrator's life as a 12 year old and his current life as a middle aged man. There are mysteries in both settings, clues being slowly revealed until the end, where there are many twists and turns.

Most stories have one problem, one mystery to be solved. I'm not spoiling anything (you find out the first page) that one of the problems is a murder that happened when the narrator was 12 years old. I thought this would be the only mystery. Boy, was I wrong! There are mysteries involving almost everyone in the story.

There was only one that I figured out. The rest I was surprised with, and instantly going back and rereading to realize that the clues were right in front of me! Go into this book trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, and you really might be able to!

Saturday, November 25, 2017

To be honest, I selected How to Behave in a Crowd by Camille Bordas just based off of the cover. The titled intrigued me as well, although my fiancé thought I was reading a self-help book.

This book is laced with humor and gives off a coming-of-age vibe. It reminds me a lot of the personal stories that David Sedaris writes. I yearned for this novel to be a true story of this boy's odd family, struggles, and triumphs.

It was an enjoyable read, an easy read, yet for some reason it was hard to get through. Perhaps it was his awkward encounters and family a little bit too odd that made me not desire to read it. Or perhaps it was the fact that I couldn't relate well to a young boy as a narrator. I wanted to like it, and I did like it, I just didn't like reading it. As I mentioned, it was enjoyable, and perhaps I will give it another shot. Out of five stars, I think I'd give it three and a half. I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

My favorite hobby is going to thrift stores and buying frayed, well loved books with dog eared pages and bent spines. I love putting a book in my purse or in my car and reading anytime, anywhere.

I have been wanting to read Human Acts by Han Kang for a while, and I decided to try an e-book. I am very disappointed, and it's not Human Acts' fault! Because this was my first e-book, I had trouble getting into the change from a print book to an electronic copy. I like to cuddle up and read, and it felt like a hassle to download the book and get an electronic devise every time I wanted to read a few pages. With that said, I will not be getting another e-book anytime soon. But about the book...

This book is an emotional story, centered around protests in South Korea. I love learning about different cultures, and not just the fun outfits or traditional food, but the deep stuff. The pain, the beliefs, the morals, the wars. And that's what this book is about, as it follows stories of pains and losses, and how people heal.

It is so interested to me to read a book with a plot so near and dear to the author himself. Since the book is about Han Kang's hometown, it makes the book even more special, with a feeling of importance in every chapter. This book was clearly special to the author.

I would recommend (a hard copy of) this book!

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

When becoming a teacher, especially for younger grades
(second grade over here!), you are expected to be positive, upbeat, and
encouraging. I take it to a whole new level.

I’m so glad my only audience is a group of seven year olds.
If any of my friends saw me, they would be so embarrassed. I literally jump up
and down, clap my hands together, cheer, sing, and dance all so that my class
has a good time learning. I actually kind of annoy myself. (But of course the
kids love it.)

I was prepared to sing the alphabet song. I was not prepared
to rap a Dr. Seuss book.

I was prepared to praise good students. I was not prepared
to thank each student who raises his/her hand.

I was prepared to teach spelling. I was not prepared to
stand on their desk and dance if they spelled the bonus word correctly.

I was prepared to deal with tough situations from their home
life. I was not prepared to openly cry with students.

I was prepared to clean desks. I was not prepared to clean
shoes, shirts, hair, faces, books, carpets, backpacks, water bottles, etc.

I was prepared to say beautiful, heartfelt, educational
things that students will always remember. I was not prepared to say -

“Wow, I am SO proud of you for not getting pizza sauce on
your pants!”

“No, there’s not a baby in my belly.”

“Tie your shoes before your mom sees.”

“Stop licking your desk.”

“No, I’m not your godmother. I’m just your teacher.”

“Only hold your breath for a few seconds, or you might pass
out, and that would make me very sad.”

“Miss Lee needs coffee.”

“Get out from under the desk. I want to see your handsome
face.”

“I don’t know if you’re adopted. Ask your parents.”

“No, no one in this class has dwarfism.”

“You’re not a fool. Who told you that?”

Teaching is such a blessing, with opportunities for prayers
to be answered and miracles to happen every day.

I never thought it would be so hard, and I also never
thought that I would leave every day feeling so happy.